Cybil and Belgger walk into the town.
"I thought we'd make it to the town before sunset, but it's already dark," Cybil says.
"It's really quiet... I don't hear a sound," Belgger replies.
They find a ninja hiding in the shadows, who runs.
"Who's there? What are you doing here?" Belgger shouts.
"You must be the ones from Lodis," the ninja says. "We won't let you interfere!" His group joins him.
◊
Map.
◊
Music.
The ninja, Sitri, shouts, "The mermaids' spear is a treasure of the Batraal family!"
"They must be looking for the same thing we are," Cybil muses. "Sounds like they haven't found it yet, though."
"What are you mumbling? We know what you're after," Sitri says. "We won't let you snatch it from us... you've always resorted to using force. You're responsible for the death of my family! Since then, I've lived with nothing but vengeance to sustain me."
"Fool. Do you live only for revenge?" Cybil asks.
Belgger and Glycinia fly to the rooftops as the rest slowly advance. As Sitri's force makes impact, the winged fliers fall upon them with arrow and axe. The witch retreats into the corner to let her MP charge up; the other ninjas attack us with bows, but they barely do more than 20 damage. By the time the witch has charged up, most of her allies are dead, and Bruno and Fersen kill her. Aniole sends Sitri back to the flames.
Sitri: My love... I can finally join you...
We get 500 Goth, a Magic Seed, and a Matsukaze (the sword Sitri was using).
Cybil and Belgger walk through town when they come across some old friends.
◊
"...!? Belgger! Why are you here?!" Rictor shouts. "Last I hear, you disappeared in Formido... are you alright?" Orson and Rictor come forward. Cybil and Belgger walk up to meet them.
"I'm fine," Belgger says. "So how'd you end up here?"
"Many soldiers were wounded by undead creatures in the Forest of Gryllus," Rictor explains. "Because of the confusion, we had no choice but to retreat."
"The enemy's been saying that someone's after them," Belgger says. "They must've been talking about you. Tell me, what exactly are you looking for, and what is your true mission?"
"I don't care what happened as long as you're safe." Rictor extends his hand. "Come back, and we'll talk."
Belgger shakes his head. "I'm sorry, but I can't do that, Rictor. This woman saved my life at Formido. I am in her debt. Please forget about me. I have no intentions of returning."
"Are you out of your mind?!" Rictor asks angrily. "You're a member of the Order of the Sacred Flame." Rictor lets his hand drop. "Listen, Belgger. You're smart, and you have the potential to grow stronger. When I become the Duke of Felis, I want you to be my right-hand man. I will govern and you will head up the country's defenses. If you want, I will make you head of the knights. You're vital to the future of Lodis."
Belgger bows his head. "I appreciate your offer, but... my destiny lies elsewhere. I may not know yet what my future holds, but I intend to find out."
"You've been a true asset to us. I want to rule Felis, and with your help, bring stability to Lodis. I've been thinking about this for some time, but... did you plan on leaving all along?"
"That's not it, Rictor. I need to discover what I can accomplish on my own, without the help of my family, my status, or you."
Rictor turns his head to Cybil. "What did that woman say to you?" he growls. "Do you even know who she is?" He turns back to Belgger. "Let me ask you something then. Why are you here? We came here in search of the White Fang Troops, but instead, at this late hour, we find you sneaking around with this spy of the Church."
"That's because..." Belgger begins.
"I know how you are," Rictor tells Cybil angrily. "You're a member of the Hand of the Pope. What is the Church plotting? To restore power to the Pope?"
"Plotting? You make my work sound so ugly," Cybil says. "My mission is to do the Lord's will. What else can I do? The Hand of the Pope obeys the Pope and Filarhh without question. I've dedicated my life to them."
"Then why don't you pursue your goals openly? God sees all, including your dubious ways..."
"Hmph! And what about you? If your mission was to halt the White Fang Troops, what are you doing here?"
"Silence, woman!!!" Rictor roars. "Your miserable life was saved by the mercy of Lodis! How dare you vulgar people talk to me like that!!!"
"I'm sorry, but there's no point in talking to you anymore now. There's no getting through that thick skull of yours," Cybil mocks.
"You infuriate me!!!" Rictor turns to Belgger. "Belgger, I suppose you're on their side too?"
"What are you saying? Didn't you hear what I said? I am here of my own free will. Please understand, Rictor..."
"Your own will...? Hmph. You must be dreaming! You let the current be your guide, only you convince yourself it's the path you've chosen. Even meeting this woman was just coincidence. This is your last chance to rejoin us."
"I'm sorry..."
"Hmph! It was wrong of me to have such high expectations of you. Alright. That's it. I can't stand people who try to manipulate history from the shadows. If you want to go with her, go ahead. But if you get in my way, don't expect any mercy," Rictor growls coldly. He walks off with Orson as the screen fades to black.
Cybil and Belgger ponder recent events in a run down shack.
◊ The window opens, revealing it is stormy outside.
"We'd better hurry if Rananculus has its eyes on the western seas," Cybil says. "After we find a boat, we'll head out to the Rana Sea and find the mermaids' sanctuary. I head the leader's lived for over 400 years. She must know something about the Sacred Spear." She turns to Belgger. "Are you listening?"
"I am... but there is no way you can sail in this rain."
"Are you still concerned about what he said? Then start taking responsibility for your actions. That's why you're always treated like a child. Listen, you can't have freedom without bearing the responsibility. People have the right to choose their actions freely, but they are responsible for the results of those actions."
"Freedom... responsibility?"
"Understand? You declined his offer. There's a possibility that he'll become your enemy, but you have to face reality and accept that fact."
Belgger shakes his head. "I don't want to... no, I cant... fight with Rictor..."
"Then why did you refuse him? You could have gone with him."
"I had no choice..."
"'I had no choice', you say! You're so naive."
"You don't understand!" Belgger shouts.
"Of course not. I'm not a mind reader. But I do know you made it clear that you won't be going back. You have no place to return to anymore."
"I don't know what to do... but I had to speak truthfully."
"We can't relive the past, but we can start anew. Time waits for no man. The past has led you to the present, but you build your own future with choices today. Throughout your life, you will face many difficult decisions. There's no rights or wrongs... just paths that lead to different futures. That's all the advice I can give you."
"... Cybil, why did you become a member of the Hand of the Pope?"
"No reason, really. I was a war orphan sent to Galius at the age of six and trained to be a member. Now, I've dedicated my life to serving the Church."
"So that's the life you chose?"
"Yes. Regardless of what I hoped for, I had to make choices from the option available to me in the environment. I am here right now as a result of those choices. Listen... your birth, your status... these things are part of your environment, they're what you've been given. People strive for things they want and give up on the things they don't want. Choosing not to decide is still a choice." Someone knocks at the door. "...Looks like he's here."
A fisherman walks in.
"o, are you able to take us to the Rana Sea?" Cybil asks.
"The currents outside of Yema Bay are complicated. Besides, it's the stormy season now. Even if you bypass these hazards, you'd still have to navigate around the sunken rocks in Rana. I'm sorry, but we can't help you."
"What if we wait until the ocean calms down...?" Belgger asks. I think this line was meant to be spoken by Cybil.
"You said you're looking for the mermaids' sanctuary? Listen, don't be foolish. Don't take the sea... or the mermaids... lightly. They're monsters. They tempt men with their beauty and singing, and then drag them into the sea... we had such an incident last summer. We have rules for our safety, but you outsiders think you can solve anything with your money and with your logic."
"...Let it go, Cybil," Belgger says. "They're just thinking of their own safety."
"Alright," Cybil mutters. "Thanks for your cooperation."
The fisherman starts to walk out. "If you want to meet the mermaids that badly, then capture one. She'll call for help and others will come. Then follow them to the sanctuary. I must be on my way. Please don't hold a grudge against me." He walks out.
"Well, let's find ourselves a mermaid," Cybil says.
"What do you mean?"
"Weren't you listening? If we capture a mermaid and wound her, she'll call for help. Then we'll follow the leader."
"Hold on... I'm not so sure about this. The mermaids have nothing to do with your treasure hunting. How can we use them like that?"
Cybil walks over to the window. "Then tell me, Belgger, what should we do? The sea is endless. We are powerless to it. We need a practical solution, and that's the best idea we've got. Save your sympathy, unless you can think of another way. Otherwise, follow my orders."
The game gives us a choice.
- I've no better ideas...
- It doesn't seem right.
This is a major game altering choice. It will change story events, characters we get, and most importantly, the ending. I highly, highly suggest we pick the first one, as that leads to the canon ending, but viewer participation, right? Go ahead and choose one- Belgger's decision is in your hands.
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